Deep Red: Refusing Misogyny

 Courtney Woodring

Professor Wisniewski

ENGL 280 

October 9th, 2020


Deep Red is amongst an assortment of other films directed by Dario Argento that bring up elements of misogyny. I believe that the gender roles within the film are actually fair for the time period. Having beautiful women being pawns in murder schemes and underdeveloped in character are other disputes that come up, but I disagree. 

The fundamental fact that women are generally built more frail than men is a statement that some actors bring up when confronted with questions about misogyny. But even though this fact is prevalent, I do not believe that it holds up throughout the film. In fact the arm wrestling scene is a perfect example. Although the scene is a bit trite, it still goes against gender grain. You can even bring up the fact that David Hemmigs’ character Marcus Daly is forced to watch the first mueder of the film from the city streets helplessly. Even when he runs in the building to help, there is no damsel in distress moment that is typically a backbone for misogyny. But besides silly games of strength and helpless men, the fact that the killer in the film is a woman is also a jab at gender roles. Regardless of almost getting caught multiple times, it takes a pile of professional and ameatur detectives to finally track her down. She has to be incredibly smart to play out these murders and she has to have the strength to subdue her victims . 

But despite everything I did actually really enjoy the film. I did find the childrens music played during every kill to be a bit annoying but I enjoy how it really pulled the trauma behind the murders to the light. I am always a sucker for a good murder mystery and that made me appreciate this film even more. I would definitely say that this is in the top 5 for movies that we've watched in this class.


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